Pitcher exits game in fourth inning with shoulder discomfort

A starting pitcher left Saturday night's game after striking out a batter in the fourth inning. The right-hander had returned from an earlier shoulder issue and was making his third start since that return. The manager said after the contest that the player would probably be placed back on the injured list. The pitcher had allowed two hits and three runs while striking out six.

Injury details The pitcher said the discomfort began after the first inning and progressed gradually. He described it as similar to the prior shoulder inflammation and noted that continuing was not advisable. The right-hander has made 32 starts since 2023 and missed the entire 2024 season.

His highest velocity pitch in the outing reached 87 mph. "First inning was fine, then it was kind of a slow progression of discomfort," the pitcher said.